Category Archives: Research and Science

Check out the following video from NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (HCDI).

I think there may be some merit in the ideas proposed in this video. In other words, it confirms my biases! I’ve blogged years ago about how “neuromuscular training“, as it’s usually named, has been shown to prevent injuries, and research continues to mount in its favor.… Continue Reading

I’m often asked about nutrition and sports supplements. It could be someone interested in the health benefits of a particular food, or a young dancer trying to find something to give them a competitive edge.

Lucky for me, I don’t have to write about it. Instead, there’s another website that I’m not afraid to endorse on the topic (and I’m not alone). No, it’s not some next level guru – some trendy fool with clever catch-phrases, overly-simplistic answers, and questionable promises. In fact, it’s the lack thereof that’s earned my trust.… Continue Reading

Researchers in Denmark recently reviewed the current research on exercise programs for injury prevention, and crunched some numbers to see what does or doesn’t work.1 What did they find?

Strength training reduces sports injuries by about 68%, proprioception training reduces injuries by about 45%, and stretching programs do not reduce injuries reliably. Interestingly, combined programs only reduced injuries by about 35%(all of which included strength training). … Continue Reading

I’m excited to share this interview with Israel Halperin – an MMA & Thai Kickboxing athlete, trainer, and researcher. He’s competed, trained, and studied internationally with many prominent figures in his field.

Cobra Classic MMA fight, California – 2001

Israel’s perspective is a balanced one. While remaining practical and relevant for his athletes, he keeps his biases in check through his humbling research experience. I’m proud to know him personally. In this short but informative discussion Israel shares some of his insight on training athletes.

A pervading idea in the fitness and therapy industries is that altered or “dysfunctional” movement is simply the product of specific muscle weakness (or imbalance). The solution, of course, is to find the weak muscle and strengthen it. The result: correct movement, and therefore decreased risk of injury and chronic pain.

Is this true? Can strengthening specific muscles improve movement form or technique?

As usual, things are a bit more complicated than that. Let’s gather insight from a few research studies, using one of the most common examples: gluteus medius strengthening for running mechanics.… Continue Reading